THENI
Fresh landslide at Kumuli on Thursday evening brought vehicular traffic on Cumbum-Thekkadi highway to a grinding halt. However, carrying of relief materials to Idukki district in Kerala is being facilitated by Theni district administration through the other two ghat routes from Cumbum Mettu and Bodi Mettu.
Theni Collector M. Pallavi Baldev on Thursday inspected Moola Vaigai, where the rain from the catchment areas of Vaigai dam started flowing, and Cunnoor village. Though Vaigai dam has already been getting inflow from Periyar river, fresh flow of water from the Vaigai’s catchment area was witnessed on Thursday.
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“We have advised the people not to go near the water course and keep farm animals at safe places. Though the water flow was not much, we have asked the officials to caution the people against taking risk as monsoon rain could not be predicted,” the Collector said.
She also visited Vaigai dam to gauge the situation. “It looks like the dam could get closer to its full level in three or four days. However, there is nothing to panic as the excess water could be drained gradually when the level shoots up to the maximum level,” she said.
Walls of two houses in Bodi collapsed following continuous rain. However, no one was injured. All the assistance for the affected families have been provided.
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Traffic on Cumbum-Kumuli highway was blocked after the fresh landslide reported near Matha Koil on Thursday evening. Movement of heavy vehicles has been restricted on the road after a portion of the road was badly damaged near Eraichal Palam on Wednesday.
“Now we have blocked traffic on both sides. Though highways officials are ready with materials to repair damaged roads, they could not take up the work due to the rain,” the Collector said.
The district administration has been facilitating movement of volunteers who want to supply relief materials to flood-affected people in Kerala.
“We are coordinating with our Kerala counterparts and ascertaining where actually the materials are in need and trying to guide the volunteers to reach the officials there,” Ms. Pallavi said.
The people had been donating food, medicines, dress materials, blankets and other items. Three medical teams from Theni district were camping in Idukki district to provide medical help to the flood victims, she added.